As we gradually move away from the immediate impact of the international health crisis, there is an understandable interest for communities to move on. No longer are regular lockdowns, mask restrictions, and infection rates a common part of our daily lives and, having lived through these years, society is returning to a sense of normality.

While this is a positive direction, we are now experiencing another crisis and it is important that in the eagerness we have to overcome COVID that we do not underestimate or undermine the impact such events have had, and continue to have, on the quality of public mental health.

We now know, definitively, that mental health has worsened. The frequency of common disorders, such as depression and anxiety, has increased with 1 in every 6 people now experiencing these each week. Workplaces are seeing mental health issues occur in significant numbers too, with nearly 60% of employees experiencing symptoms of anxiety. 

The most severely affected, however, are the younger generation and children. The NHS are now recording breaking numbers of children being treated for mental health disorders, reaching more than 400,000 a year. 86% of children are now believed to be experiencing anxiety, 76% experiencing depression, and 68% describing constant feelings of anger. COVID has also affected minority groups, with those of non-white ethnicity reporting more frequent cases of mental health issues.

The resulting impact of such increases in mental ill-health is that there is now a much greater pressure being placed upon the services that can support such ailments. These services are, as a result, being overwhelmed, leaving many unable to access the support that they need. In addition, there remains a pervasive stigma associated with mental health issues and psychological disorders, preventing many from recognising their symptoms before they become more established and severe.

Stigma can manifest as a public effect, leading individuals to feel judged by others, and self effect, leading them to be judged by themselves, such as through embarrassment and shame. What’s more, there is also an institutional stigma, which is where individuals can feel limited in their options or unable to seek the support they need.

It is important that symptoms, even relatively minor issues, such as low mood or stress, are treated with due caution and, where appropriate, support is sought after. In a culture where mental health is stigmatised, this does not occur, placing greater pressure on services, such as the NHS, further down the line. By seeking counselling and psychotherapy early on, issues can be understood and overcome before they lead to more established diagnosable disorders.

If you would like to reach out and seek professional support, whether you are experiencing stress, anxiety, or any circumstance in life that is leaving you feeling mentally unwell, our team is ready to talk. Get in touch via the Bristol Counselling and Psychotherapy website to discuss your circumstances, learn if counselling is the right course of action, and to arrange an initial consultation.